IMSC Ep 10 - Song 1: "Don't You Pray for Me" by The Colt Walkers

"Like the iconic single action revolvers from which they take their name, the Colt Walkers pack the explosive sonic punch of a wild-west shootout. The Iowa-based roots rockers populate their songs with sinners, saviors, wanderers and devils, weaving a tapestry at once spiritual and profane.

"The Colt Walkers make no apologies for their love of the musical forms at the heart of the American story: blues, country, folk and gospel. But they craft every lyric, melody and stomping instrumental with an eye toward the horizon – and an understanding that American music is at its best when it rocks."
- from their Facebook page

Lineup:

Fred Love - vocals/guitar
Ryan Mauritz - vocals/mandolin/harmonica/keys
Dave Atchison - drums
Greg Bruna - bass

Home page:
http://www.coltwalkers.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ColtWalkers

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/thecoltwalkers

Ep 10 - Song 2: "North of the River" by Monday Mourners

"Just a Midwestern band trying to correct the contemporary misunderstanding of what country music is."
- from their Facebook page

"Monday Mourners are an alt-country (whatever that means) band from Des Moines, Iowa. If you like country, we sound like rock. If you like rock, we sound like country. Midwestern Twang & Roll."
- from their ReverbNation page

"The Monday Mourners are a country band. Not a pop country band. The Monday Mourners' brand of country doesn't get a lot of radio play."
- Joe Lawler from Juice

Lineup:

Matt Handley - guitar/vocals
Clint Meyer - guitar/lap Steel/vocals
Aaron Tinder - bass/vocals
Pat Curtis - drums

Home page:
http://mondaymourners.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monday-Mourners/208913395564

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/mondaymourners

IMSC Ep 10 - Song 3: "Hold On" by Crossfire

"Crossfire is "Omaha's premier country dance band," blending classic country with current Nashville hits and original music that gets people on their feet and keeps the party going all night! Now a staple of Omaha's country music scene, Crossfire formed in 2010 when veteran musicians Walter Killam of Denton,Texas and Gary Groves of San Diego auditioned vocalist Dave Forney of Omaha for a new country group. Soon after, drummer Buck Weyerman, a well known local percussionist and member of the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame came on board. With Buck on drums and Walter on bass providing a solid musical backbone, Gary weaving in his blues-country guitar and Dave belting out the melody on the mic, matched with three-part harmony, we dare you not to sing along and dance the night away! Country fan or not - you've got a fever, and the only prescription is more Crossfire!"
- from their home page

Lineup:

Gary Groves - lead guitar/vocals
Walter Killam - bass guitar/vocals
Buck Weyerman - drums
Dave Forney - lead vocals

Home page:
http://www.crossfirecountrymusic.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/crossfire.countrymusic

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/crossfirecountrymusic

Ep 10 - Song 4: "That Kinda Tough" by Danny Grause

"Danny Grause is not a traditional country artist. Fortunately for him, his fans don't really care. His music sits comfortably in their playlists somewhere between Merle Haggard and Maroon 5, providing a fresh combination of gravel and groove for those who believe "Country" is merely a state of mind. Danny has been described as 'the theoretical love child of Willie Nelson and Chaka Khan', both for his style of performance and his song craftsmanship. On stage with his supporting band the "Black Dirt Kings" his music takes the listener on a virtual road trip full of twists and turns and occasional stops in funky town. In 2010 Danny's signature sound caught the attention of some kindred spirits when a demo of "Don't Tell Mama" made the Top 15 our of more than 700 acts in the "Sailing Southern Ground Contest", created and judged by none other than CMA and Grammy award-winning "Zac Brown Band". His music has also been featured in radio, television, and most recently in the new ad campaign for the "Hotsy" corporation. Deliberately unpolished and unapologetic, Danny's commanding stage presence is just what you would expect from a carpenter's son who's proud of every callous and scar he's earned along the way."
- from his home page

Lineup:

Danny Grause - all instruments/vocals

Home page:
http://www.dannygrause.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Danny-Grause-Music/203193329808427

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/dannygrause

IMSC Ep 10 - Song 5: "Aim's Gettin' Better" by Diana Upton-Hill

"Diana Upton-Hill is a nationally recognized recording and touring artist. At the age of 3, Diana began singing with her dad’s band and performing solos for school and church concerts. Now a versatile performer, she has become a national talent; active in the regional country/folk music scene, performing on television, joining symphony orchestras as featured soloist, and even starring in live theatre productions. Her favorite roles include: Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella in Into the Woods and Ellen in Miss Saigon.

"She has numerous recordings to her credit and regularly finds herself contributing to commercial jingles and voice-overs. You may have even seen her on tour this past year with rising Country star, Mitch Goudy, with whom she’s written several songs and for whom she regularly provides background vocals. Look for Diana’s latest single, “Do Love Well” - available now on iTunes, which was produced by the incomparable, award-winning, and all around nice guy Bryan White."
- from her home page

Lineup:
Drums & Acoustic Guitar - Bryan White
Bass - Steve Mackey
Electric Guitar - Shayne Hill & Bryan White
White Lap Steel - Scotty Sanders
Piano - Steve King

Home page:
http://www.dianauptonhill.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/dianauptonhillmusic

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/dianauptonhillmusic

IMSC Ep 9 - Song 1: "Heavy Load" by Roxi Copland

Roxi Copland currently lives in Milwaukee, but was living in Des Moines and part of the Des Moines music scene from 2005 to 2011, and came back to Iowa to make this album in 2014. In fact, the only non-Iowans on this album is her and her dad. So I suppose we can forgive her for that!

"Roxi Copland performs throughout the US, entertaining with an engaging combination of original songs and innovative arrangements of everything from Ella to the Offspring. Copland’s unique genre is best summed up in the words of one particularly eloquent reviewer as “a possibly schizophrenic but absolutely brilliant concoction of jazz, pop and soul.” Beautifully blurring the boundaries of blues, jazz, & pop, this talented singer/songwriter/pianist won’t disappoint."
- from her home page

Lineup:
Piano, synth, and vocals - Roxi Copland Drums- Sam Mogerman 

Bass - Ben Foote 

Guitar- James Biehn 

Alto Saxophone - Dave Bohl

Home page:
http://roxicopland.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/roxicoplandfanpage

IMSC Ep 9 - Song 2: "Alternate Title" by The University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One (dir. Chris Merz)

"Chris Merz, Associate Professor of Music, has served as Director of Jazz Studies and Director of the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One at the University of Northern Iowa since 2002. Under his direction, the band has recorded eight CDs featuring many original compositions and arrangements by student and faculty writers.

"He has also taught at the University of Wyoming, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa. Chris has toured four continents with Dave Brubeck and other members of the Brubeck family and played lead alto saxophone with several East Coast groups, including the Cecil Bridgewater Big Band, the New England Jazz Ensemble, and the Jeff Holmes Big Band. His own projects include Equilateral and the X-tet, a 12-piece big band. "Chris has several compact disc recordings to his credit, including a collaboration with Bob Washut (Gemini), two discs with Equilateral (...And Another Thing and Also Not Pictured...) and one with the X-tet (Mystery is My Story). About that disc, Dave Brubeck wrote,

"I am very pleased with this wonderful band. Naturally, I would admire a group like yours that, to me, is a grand extension of what we were doing...when we were the "new thing"." He has received commissions from university and high school jazz ensembles throughout the country and has several compositions and arrangements published by Walrus Music Publishing (Pismo Beach, CA) and the UNC Jazz Press (Greeley,CO). He is a highly sought-after clinician and guest conductor."
- from Chris Merz's University of Northern Iowa page

Lineup:
Chris Merz - director
Cory Schmitt - trumpet, flugelhorn
Antonio Garza - trumpet, flugelhorn
Faith Hall - trumpet, flugelhorn
Toni Hoffman - trumpet, flugelhorn
Leah Schmidt - trumpet, flugelhorn
Gabe Scheid - saxophones, woodwinds
Marian Marturello - saxophones, woodwinds
Nolan Schroeder - saxophones, woodwinds
Nathan Temeyer - saxophones, woodwinds
Madeline Young - saxophones, woodwinds
Brian Crew - trombone
Jake Humburg - trombone
Brian Martin - trombone
Zach Gignac - bass trombone
Aaron Ottmar - vibraphone
Patrick Daugherty - guitar
Jon Snell - piano, electronic keyboard
Joel Conrad - acoustic, electric bass
Nic Addella - drums

Christopher Merz's Univeristy of Northern Iowa page:
http://www.uni.edu/music/christopher-merz

University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/UNIJBO

IMSC Ep 9 - Song 3: "Clarinet 2A"/"Clarinet 3" by Jeff Kane and Hannah Marks

Jeff Kane is the leader and founder of Des Moines's NOLA Jazz Band.

Lineup:
Clarinet - Jeff Kane
Bass - Hannah Marks



NOLA Jazz Band Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/NolaJazzBand

Ep 9 - Song 4: "Mrs B" by Bob Washut Trio

"Dr. Robert Washut is Professor of Music at the University of Northern Iowa, where he served as Director of Jazz Studies from 1980 - 2002. An accomplished jazz composer and arranger, Washut has received numerous commissions from collegiate jazz ensembles, professional jazz artists, and symphony orchestras. Many of his works are published by the UNC Jazz Press (Greeley, CO), Walrus Music Publishing (Pismo Beach, CA), C.L. Barnhouse (Oskaloosa, IA), and Heritage JazzWorks (Lorenz Corp - Dayton, OH).

"During his 22 years as director of the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One, Washut recorded 11 CDs (two of which earned 5-star ratings from DownBeat magazine), toured Europe three times, consistently received "Outstanding Band" recognition at collegiate jazz festivals throughout the Midwest, and was awarded three "Outstanding Performance" citations in DownBeat's Annual Student Music Awards.

"He is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the country and is an active jazz pianist, who founded the Latin jazz band, Orquesta Alto Maiz. He recorded and released a jazz trio CD entitled Songbook (Sea Breeze Jaz: SB-3036) in 1999. Washut was inducted into the Iowa IAJE Hall of Fame in 2003 and was selected as Outstanding Teacher at UNI in 1996."
- from The University of Northern Iowa page

Lineup:
Piano - Bob Washut
Bass - Mark Urness
Drums - Kevin Hart

University of Northern Iowa page: http://www.uni.edu/music/robert-washut

IMSC Ep 9 - Song 5: "Somewhere" by The Des Moines Big Band

"The Des Moines Big Band was founded in 1959 and has been going strong ever since. Well known for hundreds of miles around...

"Our mission is to present our community with a place to hear cutting edge jazz without leaving town to do it! We commission new compositions from nationally-recognized composers every year while still keeping the classics in the book...

"We play because we love jazz and feel a real sense of responsibility for keeping it alive and vibrant. Please join us in celebrating a truly original American art form!"

- from their home page (http://www.desmoinesbigband.com/)

Lineup:
Director - Jim Oates
Piano - Sid Bos
Alto Sax - Bob Long
Clarinet - Steve O'Brien
Trumpet - Dave Kobberdahl
Drums - Jim Eklof
Bass - Ross Cornelison

Home page:

http://www.desmoinesbigband.com/

Facebook:

https://facebook.com/DSMBB

IMSC Ep 9 - Song 6: "Left Behind" by Max Wellman

"This young showman from Des Moines doesn’t balk at you calling him an “old soul.” And, he didn’t become the polished performer he is overnight. In fact, it’s the Renaissance Man aspect of Wellman – elbow grease and a thirst for knowledge in spades – that makes him a sound and sight to behold. He’s a vocalist. An arranger. A writer. An entrepreneur. His musicianship is a vehicle for the entire package.

"Wellman certainly has bookmarked the traditional section of the American Songbook. There’s no question the golden voices of years past – accompanied by the tickling of piano keys and plucks of an upright bass – dance in his head as he performs. But when you’re an innovator who lives and breathes the accomplishments of past greats, you don’t need to be confined to their pages.

"No, artists such as Wellman are sure of themselves and confident in what they have to offer the world. They constantly move forward. He knew from the age of 16 that he needed to use his musical gifts to push the envelope. Wellman went on to use his studies of the history of voice and opera at Butler University to further permeate his forward march into his own art form."
- from his home page

EPISODE 8: Iowa City Children's Album

This project is outgrowth of an University of Iowa couple, Kembrew "Roboprofessor" McLeod and Iowa Review managing editor Lynne Nugent, having a child and thinking they would no longer be able to rock. They turned out to be more capable than me and found a way to rock, as well as put together a children's music album  featuring Iowa City musicians of all stripes and children of Iowa City.

You can read the whole story in the liner notes - http://www.icpl.org/for_kids_by_kids/For_Kids_By_Kids_Liner_Notes.pdf!

This episode features nine of the songs from the album. You can download the whole album for FREE at The Iowa City Public Library website - http://www.icpl.org/for-kids-and-by-kids!

The podcast also includes one of five songs the album has from Girls Rock! Iowa City's 2014 summer camp!

And you can also check out The Folk Family Machine Trio, who sing on this episode and the album, at a fundraiser at Public Space 1 in Iowa City at 7 pm on Thursday, April 30.

And finally, a special shout out to Rachel Feldmann of pop punk band, Lipstick Homicide (https://lipstickhomicide.bandcamp.com/) for introducing to this project!

For more information, click on the artist or song...

Opening - Iowa Music Showcase opening by Dylan Boyle

Song 1 - "Find the Time" by Ramona and The Slimdudes

Song 2 - "Robot Song" by Prairie Green Preschoolers

Song 3 - "Everyone Loves Elephants" by Samuel Locke Ward

Song 4 - "Adelita Polka" by Dave Moore
Song 5 - "Bonbons" by Coolzey
Song 6 - "Higher than Trees" by Neon Daisies
Song 7 - "Control" by Brooks Strause
Song 8 - "Rocky Road" by Family Folk Machine Trio
Song 9 - "Iowa Wanna Be in a Band" by Fire Signs
Closing - Iowa Music Showcase closing by Dylan Boyle

All rights reserved by the composers and performers. Used by their kind permission.

To download (right click on the link and hit "Save as..."):
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode8/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode8_vbr_mp3.zip

Iowa Music Showcase can be listened to and/or downloaded on the following sites:

Home page: http://iowamusicshowcase.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowa-Music-Showcase/364796883703114
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/iowa-music-showcase 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMPcIaIvvs0Aj4zk2JbXdQ/feed
Bandcamp: https://iowamusicshowcase.bandcamp.com/
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/iowamusicshowcase
Google+: https://www.google.com/+IowamusicshowcaseBlogspotPodcast
Tumblr: http://iowamusicshowcase.tumblr.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/IAMusicShowcase/
Other websites:
Spotify profile:
https://play.spotify.com/user/iowamusicshowcase
Spotify playlist:
https://play.spotify.com/user/iowamusicshowcase/playlist/28c74Ooze3Wk9sH9VezvMf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamusicshowcase
Instagram: https://instagram.com/iowamusicshowcase

Labels: Brooks Strause, compilation albums, Coolzey, Dave Moore, Ep 008, Family Folk Machine (band),Family Folk Machine Trio (band), Iowa City children's album, Ramona and The Slimdudes (band), Ramona Muse Lambert

IMSC Ep 8 - Song 1: "Find the Time" by Ramona and The Slimdudes

"Ramona Muse is one of the craftiest ladies we know! She draws, she paints, she sews, she sings, and she has mad dance skills. She even hosts one of the most entertaining pub quizzes around. (Check out her blog to see what she’s up to.) But if you haven’t seen her live on stage, you’re really missing out on one of Iowa’s most clever and real musicians around. With lyrics everyone and their moms can relate to, simple and super catchy beats, and stage presence that instantly makes you feel like you found your new best friend, Ramona is a must-see."
- Lindsay Fullington on Band Bombshell

Lineup:
Vocals - Ramona Muse Lambert
Bass/vocals - Willy Muse
Drums/vocals - Derek Muse Lambert

Home page:
http://www.ramonamuselambert.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramona-Muse-Lambert/315551218481882

Bandcamp:
https://ramonamuselambert.bandcamp.com/album/ramona-and-the-slimdudes

Ep 8 - Song 2: "Robot Song" by Prairie Green Preschoolers

"My six preschoolers and I wrote the song together last year,' Nicole Upchurch says, "and it has become a favorite at music time again. ‘Robot Song’ was the very first song we ever wrote. I simply posed the questions, ‘Do you all want to write a song together? What do you want to sing about?’ And they all agreed, ‘Robots!’ The chorus came easily and then we found rhymes together for the verses.” She adds, “Sometimes my students will say something in the bathroom or at snack time that makes a great song lyric!” Nicole says that this songwriting process often takes place over the course of weeks, so it can happen at any part of the day. Nicole’s daughter Waelyn helped write the song, along with everyone else. “For Waelyn, and for my other students, songwriting is a shared effort—like cooking or playing tag.”
- from the For Kids & By Kids liner notes

Lineup:
Vocals - students of Prairie Green School: Parker and Will Boback, Amelia and Elizabeth Buckley, Maggie Ebinger, Henry and Claire Lawler, Jay Mascardo, Avery Nepple, Kobi Nott, Ana Rippentrop, Carrera Sulentic, Waelyn Upchurch, Lucy Wolf, Nicole Upchurch
Soprano ukuleles - Caroline Mascardo, Lucy Westemeyer, B.J. Wolf, Nicole Upchurch
Banjo ukulele - Luca Chackalackal
Harmonica - Lucy Wolf
Bass Ukulele - Craig “Pappy” Klocke

Prairie Green School home page: http://www.prairiegreenschool.org/

Nicole Upchurch's band Awful Purdies: http://www.awfulpurdies.com/

Nicole Upchurch's band The Feralings: http://www.theferalings.com/

IMSC Ep 8 - Song 3: "Everyone Loves Elephants" by Samuel Locke Ward

"Samuel Locke Ward is a self-made song writer, singer, multi instrumentalist, producer & performance artist. He has built one of the largest & most diverse catalogs of recorded music in the Midwest; collaborating with a wide variety of players and bands of all ages in a genre-bending style that combines sincereity with the absurd to create a sound that is undeniably catchy & unmistakably his own."
- from his Bandcamp page

Lineup:
Samuel Locke Ward - all instruments, vocals

Home page: http://samuellockeward.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuellockeward

Bandcamp: https://samuellockeward.bandcamp.com/

IMSC Ep 8 - Song 4: "Adelita Polka" by Dave Moore

"Dave Moore is one of the great songwriters to come out of the state of Iowa. Known for his elegant songwriting and instrumental prowess on blues guitar, button accordion and harmonica he has become somewhat of a legend."

- from Red House Records

Lineup:

Dave Moore - button accordion
Chuck Henderson - electric guitar
Dave Hanson - bass
Paul Cunliffe - drums

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davemooremusician

IMSC Ep 8 - Song 5: "Bonbons" by Coolzey

"Hip-hop raised and alt-rock influenced songs range from pop comedy to dark brooding horror. Self-aware conscious meets reckless cathartic fun times.

"Golden era hip-hop roots planted in black Iowa dirt are the foundation. Growth tempered by alternative era rock influence. This along with a love for the juxtaposition of the dark, horrific nature of life paired with a slapstick and comedic view of the world allow for a wide, unpredictable arsenal ranging from soul-spilling indie bedroom rock to wise-cracking battle rap and on to radio pop."
- from his Facebook page

Lineup:
Coolzey - all instruments, vocals
Ivy Rose Tweedy - guest vocals

Home page: http://coolzey.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coolzey

Bandcamp: https://coolzey.bandcamp.com/

IMSC Ep 8 - Song 6: "Higher Than Trees" by Neon Daisies

Neon Daisies were part of the Girls Rock! Iowa City 2014 summer camp.

"Girls Rock! Iowa City is a community organization dedicated to fostering girls’ creative expression, positive self-esteem, and community awareness through rock music. With music education programs for girls ages eight to sixteen, Girls Rock! is committed to educating girls about the musical, technical, and creative aspects involved in musicianship. Unlike boys, who have long dominated rock ’n’ roll, young girls are rarely encouraged to explore self-expressive creative outlets and are less likely to be given access to musical and technical instruction or equipment. Girls Rock! Iowa City wants to change that...

"Most of the Girls Rock! campers had never picked up a musical instrument, and within a week they formed five bands, wrote original songs, performed them live, and recorded studio versions of their tracks at the United Action for Youth facilities. That’s some week!"
- from the For Kids & By Kids liner notes

Lineup:

Guitar - Maia Hartwigsen, 15
Keyboard - Gabby Finlayson, 14
Drums - Samantha Brown, 13

Girls Rock! Iowa City: https://www.facebook.com/girlsrockiowacity

IMSC Ep 8 - Song 7: "Control" by Brooks Strause

"Brooks Strause is a singer-songwriter and producer/arranger who lives in Iowa City, IA and makes a lot of music."
- from his Facebook page

Lineup:

Brooks Strause - guitar, banjo, bass, percussion, vocals
Brad Highnam - bass drum, tom-toms, cymbal, djembe
Dave Moore - accordion

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooks-Strause/176257872461628

Bandcamp: https://brooksstrause.bandcamp.com/

MySpace: https://myspace.com/brooksstrause

IMSCEp 8 - Song 8: "Rocky Road" by Family Folk Machine Trio

"The Family Folk Machine is an intergenerational, non-auditioned choir supported by the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center that welcomes kids and adults of all ages and backgrounds to sing together with a folk band. We seek to build community through singing songs with our neighbors, to explore American history and culture through song, to foster individual musical growth, and to pursue excellence as an ensemble."
- from their home page

Lineup:
Tara McGovern - fiddle
Jean Littlejohn - guitar
Jim Schepker - guitar
Caleigh and Greta Stanier and Claire Sauder - singers

Home page: http://familyfolkmachine.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familyfolkmachine